Anti-clog suction tip apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip having a suction opening and an interior defining a suction channel. An ejection wire channel extends to a wire exit opening into the suction channel that is located proximate the suction opening. An ejection wire including a ball tip at an end thereof occupies the ejection wire channel and is transitionable between a retracted configuration and an advanced configuration such that, in the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tip is retained within the ejection wire channel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suction channel; and in the advanced configuration, the ball tip of the ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present patent application incorporates herein by reference each of:U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/466,700; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/071,602; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,055; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/596,036; U.S. patent applicationpublication 2015/0073362; U.S. patent application publication2014/0135717; U.S. patent application publication 2013/0072911; U.S.patent application publication no. 2013/0053828; International patentapplication PCT/US12/52413; U.S. provisional patent application61/614,915; and U.S. provisional patent application 61/527,123.

Any patent publication of, and any patent issuing from, any of theforegoing priority applications is hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety herein. Moreover, the disclosures of the provisionals arecontained in the Appendix attached hereto, which Appendix isincorporated by reference herein.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to suction tips for use duringsurgical procedures for the removal of biological debris, such as blood,tissue, and the like, from a surgical site. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to suction tips with anti-cloggingcapabilities for removing biological debris lodged within the suctiontips.

A need exists for improvement in surgical suction tips. This, and otherneeds, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of vacuum removal of biological debris in a surgicalenvironment, the present invention is not limited to use only in vacuumremoval of biological debris in a surgical environment, as will becomeapparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions ofaspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an anti-clogsuction tip apparatus. An exemplary such apparatus includes a suctiontip assembly, including a suction tip having a suction opening at afirst end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachmentportion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, anda channel; and an ejection wire assembly, including an ejection wiredisposed within the channel and an ejection tab integral with orotherwise connected to the ejection wire. Furthermore, applying a forceto the ejection tab advances the ejection wire through the channel suchthat an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip.Additionally, the end portion of the ejection wire entering the suctiontip expels or dislodges debris in the suction tip through the suctionopening.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the end portion of theejection wire includes a ball tip.

In another feature, the suction tip assembly includes a handle.

In still another feature, the suction tip assembly includes a vacuumtunnel opening.

In yet another feature, the ejection wire is inserted into the channelthrough a wire insertion opening.

In a variation of this feature, wire insertion opening is threaded.

In still another feature, the ejection wire assembly further comprisesan inner member disposed between the ejection wire and the ejection tab,an outer member partially surrounding the inner member, and a biasingspring.

In a variation of this feature, the outer member is threaded.

In another variation, the biasing spring biases the ejection tab awayfrom the outer member.

In yet another feature, when dislodging debris in the suction opening,the end portion of the ejection wire does not extend more than threemillimeters beyond the suction opening.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an anti-clog suctiontip apparatus. An exemplary such apparatus includes a suction tip, aninterior of the suction tip defining a suction channel for the removalof debris through suction; and an ejection wire assembly removablyattachable to the suction tip and transitionable between a retractedconfiguration and an advanced configuration. Furthermore, in theretracted configuration, the ejection wire assembly is not disposedwithin the suction channel, and in the advanced configuration, theejection wire assembly is at least partially disposed within the suctionchannel.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of clearingbiological debris from a surgical site. An exemplary such methodincludes providing a suction tip apparatus, including an interiordefining a suction channel, an ejection wire not disposed within thesuction channel, and an ejection tab; attaching the suction tipapparatus to a suction source; activating the suction source to create avacuum force in the suction tip apparatus; placing the suction tipapparatus near the debris, causing the vacuum force to pull the debrisinto the suction tip apparatus; applying force to the ejection tab,causing a tip of the ejection wire to enter the suction channel; anddislodging, via the tip of the ejection wire, debris clogging thesuction channel.

Additional aspects of the present invention include apparatus andmethods for dislodging biological debris clogged in a suction tip, assubstantially shown and described herein.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein,

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of suction tip assembly shown as part of theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the suction tip assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the suction tipassembly of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the ejection wire assembly shown aspart of the anti-clog suction tip assembly 10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG.1, illustrating operation of the ejection wire assembly when installedin the anti-clog suction tip apparatus, the ejection wire assembly beingshown in an advanced position; and

FIGS. 7a-7d and 8a-8b show additional views of another preferredanti-clog suction tip apparatus in accordance with one or more aspectsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. As should be understood,any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore,any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” isconsidered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out thepresent invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed foradditional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, anyembodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. § 112, 16, no claim element isintended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unlessthe explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in suchclaim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to applyin the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention. The anti-clogsuction tip apparatus 10 is adapted to attach to a hose having a suctionsource attached thereto, and is useful during surgical procedures forthe removal of blood, tissue, and the like, from a surgical site. Theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 comprises a suction tip assembly 12and an ejection wire assembly 14.

FIG. 2 is a side view of suction tip assembly 12 shown as part of theanti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a back view ofthe suction tip assembly 12 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front viewof a portion of the suction tip assembly 12 of FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 2-4, the suction tip assembly 12 includes a suction tip16 having a suction opening 18 at a distal end thereof and a hoseattachment portion 20 at a proximal end thereof. The suction tipassembly 12 further includes a handle portion 22 and an ejection wirechannel 24. At least a portion of the ejection wire channel 24 abuts thesuction tip 16. The ejection wire channel 24 extends from a wireinsertion opening 26 located on the handle 22 to a wire exit opening 28on the suction tip 16 proximate the suction opening 18. In at least onepreferred embodiment, the wire insertion opening 26 is a threadedopening. Furthermore, in at least one preferred embodiment, the handle22 includes a vacuum tunnel opening 29. Covering the vacuum tunnelopening 29 during use of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10increases the vacuum pressure exerted at the suction opening 18.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the ejection wire assembly 14 shown aspart of the anti-clog suction tip assembly 10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A illustrates the ejection wire assembly 14 in a retractedposition. FIG. 5B illustrates the ejection wire assembly 14 in anadvanced position.

The ejection wire assembly 14 comprises an ejection wire 30, an outermember 32, an inner member 33, an ejection tab 34, and a biasing spring36. In one or more preferred embodiments, the ejection wire 30 comprisesa semi-rigid cable extending from the inner member 33. The ejection wire30 includes a small ball tip 38 at the end thereof to prevent unintendedinjury during use.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a first end of the inner member 33 isintegral with the ejection tab 34 and a second end of the inner member33 is attached to the ejection wire 30. Furthermore, the outer member 32encompasses at least a portion the inner member 33 (shown in dottedlines). Finally, the biasing spring 36 encircles a portion of the innermember 33 and is configured to bias the ejection tab 34 away from theouter member 32.

In some alternative embodiments, the ejection tab is formed separatelyfrom and is connected to the ejection wire.

As seen best in FIG. 5B, assuming the outer member 32 is immobile, asforce is applied to the ejection tab 34, the ejection tab 34, the innermember 33, and the ejection wire 30 advance in the direction of theapplied force and the biasing spring 36 contracts. Upon removal of theforce, the biasing spring 36 returns to its relaxed position, forcingthe ejection tab 34, the inner member 33 and the ejection wire 30 backto the retracted position of FIG. 5A.

Returning now to FIG. 1, the ejection wire assembly 14 is shownthreadably attached to the suction tip assembly 12 and in a retracedposition. To affix to the ejection wire assembly 14 to the suction tipassembly 12, the ejection wire 30 is first inserted into the wireinsertion opening 26 on the handle. Next, the ejection wire 30 is slidforward to occupy the ejection wire channel 24. Preferably, only uponfull insertion of the ejection wire 30 into the ejection wire channel 24can the outer member 32 be threadably secured to the cable insertionopening 26 in the handle 22.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 of FIG.1, showing the ejection wire assembly 14 secured to the suction tipassembly 12 in an advanced position. As discussed previously withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the ejection wire assembly 14 is placed inan advanced position by applying force to the ejection tab 34. As forceis applied, the ejection wire 30 moves forward.

When the ejection wire 30 is advanced forward, the ball tip 38 passesthrough the wire exit opening 28 into the suction tip 16 and dislodgesany biological debris clogging the suction tip 16, such as blood,tissue, and the like, to unclog the suction tip 16. Such debris may beexpelled through the through the suction opening 18. In at least onepreferred embodiment, the ball tip 38 does not extend more than threemillimeters beyond (protract from) the suction opening 18 when theejection wire 30 is fully advanced by depression of the ejection tab 34.

To use the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 in a surgical environment,sterile packaging in which the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 isprovided is opened by sterile technique. The anti-clog suction tipapparatus 10 is removed from the packaging and placed on a sterile tableto await use by a surgeon or surgical assistant. A hose attached to asuction source is secured to the hose attachment portion 20. Uponactivation of the suction source, a vacuum is produced within thesuction tip 16, enabling the suction tip 16 to remove biological debris,such as blood, tissue, and the like, from the operation site.

During the course of use, it is believed that the suction tip 16 islikely to become clogged with biological debris. Immediate ejection ofthe debris is oftentimes necessary in the surgical environment. Toremove unwanted debris from the suction tip 16, the user applies forceto the ejection tab 34, causing the ejection wire 30 to advance from theejection wire channel 24, through the wire exit opening 28, and expelthe debris clogged in the suction tip 16 through the suction opening 18.Some debris that is dislodges then may also be suctioned. To retract theejection wire 30, the user removes the applied force from the ejectiontab 34. The biasing spring 36 causes the ejection tab 34 to return toits initial position, thus retracting the ejection wire 30. Whenretracted, the ejection wire 30, and in particular the ball tip 38, isretained within the wire channel 24 and does not obstruct normalsuctioning of the debris during use of the apparatus 10.

An added advantage of an anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is thelocation of the ejection wire assembly 14. More particularly, theejection tab 34 is located on the handle 22 and not in the user's lineof sight and thus does not obstruct the user's view during a surgicalprocedure.

In one or more preferred embodiments, the anti-clog suction tipapparatus 10 is intended to be disposed after a single surgical use.After use, the anti-clog suction tip apparatus 10 will includebiological and potentially hazardous debris, and thus, should bedisposed according to any applicable HAZMAT protocol.

In at least one preferred embodiment, a secondary wire is supplied to beinserted into the suction tip 16 through the suction opening 18 to morecompletely clear debris if the ejection wire 30 is unable to completelyexpel the debris. It is further contemplated that alternative ejectionwires may be included that have other sizes, dimensions, and profiles ofball tips, and that have wires of different diameters and differentrigidity characteristics.

FIGS. 7a-7d and 8a-8b show additional views of another preferredanti-clog suction tip apparatus 110 in accordance with one or moreaspects of the invention, which apparatus 110 is similar in appearanceto apparatus 10. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus 110 comprises asuction tip assembly 112 and an ejection wire assembly 114.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An anti-clog suction tip apparatus for use duringsurgical procedures for the removal of debris from a surgical site, theanti-clog suction tip apparatus comprising a suction tip assembly and anejection wire assembly, (a) wherein the suction tip assembly comprises,(i) a suction tip having a suction opening at a distal end of thesuction tip assembly and having an interior defining a suction channelfor the removal of debris through suction applied at the suctionopening, (ii) a hose attachment portion at a proximal end of the suctiontip assembly, (iii) a handle portion from which the suction tip extends,and (iv) an ejection wire channel extending from the handle portion to awire exit opening into the suction channel of the suction tip, the wireexit opening being located proximate the suction opening of the suctiontip, and (b) wherein the ejection wire assembly comprises an ejectionwire including a ball tip at an end thereof, and wherein the ejectionwire assembly is transitionable between a retracted configuration and anadvanced configuration such that, (i) when the ejection wire assembly isin the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tipat the end thereof is retained within the ejection wire channel and theball tip does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suctionchannel of the suction tip, (ii) when the ejection wire assemblytransitions from the retracted configuration to the advancedconfiguration, the ball tip of the ejection wire advances from theejection wire channel through the wire exit opening and into the suctiontip, (iii) when the ejection wire assembly is in the advancedconfiguration and the ejection wire is fully advanced, the ball tip ofthe ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond thesuction opening, and (iv) when the ejection wire assembly transitionsfrom the advanced configuration back to the retracted configuration, theball tip of the ejection wire retracts from the suction channel backthrough the wire exit opening and into the ejection wire channel.
 2. Theanti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejection wirechannel extends from the handle portion to the wire exit opening inabutment with the suction tip.
 3. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the interior of the suction tip further defines theejection wire channel.
 4. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim1, further comprising a spring that biases the ejection wire assemblyinto the retracted configuration.
 5. The anti-clog suction tip apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a manually operated control for advancingthe ejection wire within the ejection wire channel through the wire exitopening and into the suction channel of the suction tip.
 6. Theanti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim 5, wherein the manuallyoperated control comprises an ejection tab, wherein manually depressingthe ejection tab advances the ejection wire within the ejection wirechannel through the wire exit opening and into the suction channel ofthe suction tip.
 7. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim 5,wherein the handle portion comprises a vacuum tunnel opening, andwherein the manually operated control is located on the same side of thehandle portion as the vacuum tunnel opening.
 8. The anti-clog suctiontip apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejection wire assembly isremovably attached to the suction tip assembly.
 9. The anti-clog suctiontip apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle portion of the suction tipassembly defines a threaded opening by which the ejection wire assemblyis attached to the suction tip assembly.
 10. The anti-clog suction tipapparatus of claim 1, wherein the ejection wire comprises a semi-rigidcable.
 11. An anti-clog suction tip apparatus for use during surgicalprocedures for the removal of biological debris from a surgical site,the anti-clog suction tip apparatus comprising a suction tip assemblyand an ejection wire assembly, (a) wherein the suction tip assemblycomprises, (i) a suction tip having a suction opening at a distal end ofthe suction tip assembly and having an interior defining a suctionchannel for the removal of biological debris through suction applied atthe suction opening, (ii) a hose attachment portion at a proximal end ofthe suction tip assembly, (iii) a handle portion from which the suctiontip extends, the handle portion defining a vacuum tunnel opening, and(iv) an ejection wire channel extending in abutment with the suction tipfrom the handle portion to a wire exit opening into the suction channelof the suction tip, the wire exit opening being located proximate thesuction opening of the suction tip, and (b) wherein the ejection wireassembly comprises an ejection wire including a ball tip at an endthereof, and wherein the ejection wire assembly is transitionablebetween a retracted configuration and an advanced configuration suchthat, (i) when the ejection wire assembly is in the retractedconfiguration, the ejection wire including the ball tip at the endthereof is retained within the ejection wire channel and the ball tipdoes not obstruct suctioning of biological debris through the suctionchannel of the suction tip, (ii) when the ejection wire assemblytransitions from the retracted configuration to the advancedconfiguration, the ball tip of the ejection wire advances from theejection wire channel through the wire exit opening and into the suctiontip, (iii) when the ejection wire assembly is in the advancedconfiguration and the ejection wire is fully advanced, the ball tip ofthe ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond thesuction opening, and (iv) when the ejection wire assembly transitionsfrom the advanced configuration back to the retracted configuration, theball tip of the ejection wire retracts from the suction channel backthrough the wire exit opening and into the ejection wire channel, and(c) the anti-clog suction tip apparatus further comprising, (i) a springelement that biases the ejection wire assembly toward the retractedconfiguration, and (ii) a manually operated control for advancing,against the force of the spring element, the ejection wire within theejection wire channel through the wire exit opening and into the suctionchannel of the suction tip, the manually operated control being locatedon the same side of the handle portion as the vacuum tunnel opening. 12.A method of clearing debris from a surgical site, comprising the step ofproviding a suction tip apparatus comprising: (a) a suction tip assemblycomprising, (i) a suction tip having a suction opening at a distal endof the suction tip assembly and having an interior defining a suctionchannel for the removal of debris through suction applied at the suctionopening, (ii) a hose attachment portion at a proximal end of the suctiontip assembly, (iii) a handle portion from which the suction tip extends,and (iv) an ejection wire channel extending from the handle portion to awire exit opening into the suction channel of the suction tip, the wireexit opening being located proximate the suction opening of the suctiontip, and (b) an ejection wire assembly comprising an ejection wire,including a ball tip at an end thereof, wherein the ejection wireassembly is transitionable between a retracted configuration and anadvanced configuration such that, (i) when the ejection wire assembly isin the retracted configuration, the ejection wire including the ball tipat the end thereof is retained within the ejection wire channel and theball tip does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suctionchannel of the suction tip, (ii) when the ejection wire assemblytransitions from the retracted configuration to the advancedconfiguration, the ball tip of the ejection wire advances from theejection wire channel through the wire exit opening and into the suctiontip, (iii) when the ejection wire assembly is in the advancedconfiguration and the ejection wire is fully advanced, the ball tip ofthe ejection wire does not extend more than three millimeters beyond thesuction opening, and (iv) when the ejection wire assembly transitionsfrom the advanced configuration back to the retracted configuration, theball tip of the ejection wire retracts from the suction channel backthrough the wire exit opening and into the ejection wire channel; andfurther comprising the steps of attaching the suction tip apparatus to asuction source by attaching a hose in an operating room to the hoseattachment portion of the suction tip assembly; activating the suctionsource to create suction at the suction opening of the suction tip;placing the suction tip apparatus near the debris, causing the debris tobe suctioned into the suction tip apparatus; transitioning the ejectionwire assembly from the retracted configuration to the advancedconfiguration, thereby causing a tip of the ejection wire to passthrough the wire exit opening and enter into the suction channel; andexpelling, via the ball tip of the advanced ejection wire, debris fromthe suction channel.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step oftransitioning the ejection wire assembly comprises manually advancingthe ejection wire in opposition to a spring force that biases theejection wire in the ejection wire channel in a direction toward thehandle portion.
 14. An anti-clog suction tip apparatus for use duringsurgical procedures for the removal of debris from a surgical site, theanti-clog suction tip apparatus comprising: (a) a suction tip having asuction opening at a distal end of the anti-clog suction tip assemblyand having an interior defining a suction channel for the removal ofdebris through suction applied at the suction opening, (b) a hoseattachment portion at a proximal end of the anti-clog suction tipassembly, (c) a handle portion from which the suction tip extends, (d)an ejection wire channel extending from the handle portion to a wireexit opening into the suction channel of the suction tip, the wire exitopening being located proximate the suction opening of the suction tip,and (e) interchangeable first and second ejection wire assemblies, eachrespective ejection wire assembly being removably attachable to thesuction tip assembly and comprising an ejection wire that istransitionable between a retracted configuration and an advancedconfiguration such that, (i) when the ejection wire is in the retractedconfiguration, the ejection wire is retained within the ejection wirechannel and does not obstruct suctioning of debris through the suctionchannel of the suction tip, (ii) when the ejection wire transitions fromthe retracted configuration to the advanced configuration, the ejectionwire advances from the ejection wire channel through the wire exitopening and into the suction tip, (iii) when the ejection wire is fullyadvanced in the advanced configuration, the ejection wire does notextend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening, and (iv)when the ejection wire transitions from the advanced configuration backto the retracted configuration, the ejection wire retracts from thesuction channel back through the wire exit opening and into the ejectionwire channel, (f) wherein the ejection wire of the first ejection wireassembly has characteristics that differ from the ejection wire of theejection wire assembly.
 15. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim14, wherein the handle portion defines a threaded opening by which eachrespective ejection wire assembly is interchangeably attachable to thesuction tip assembly.
 16. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim14, wherein the ejection wire of each respective ejection wire assemblycomprises a semi-rigid cable including a ball tip at the end thereof 17.The anti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim 14, wherein the ball tip ofthe ejection wire of each respective ejection wire assembly does notextend more than three millimeters beyond the suction opening when theejection wire is fully advanced in the advanced configuration and theejection wire assembly is attached to the suction tip assembly.
 18. Theanti-clog suction tip apparatus of claim 14, wherein the interior of thesuction tip further defines the ejection wire channel.
 19. The anti-clogsuction tip apparatus of claim 14, wherein each respective ejection wireassembly further comprises a spring that biases the ejection wire intothe retracted configuration.
 20. The anti-clog suction tip apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein each respective ejection wire assembly furthercomprises (i) a manually operated control for advancing the ejectionwire within the ejection wire channel, through the wire exit opening,and into the suction channel of the suction tip; and (ii) a vacuumtunnel opening in the handle portion; (iii) wherein the manuallyoperated control is located on the same side of the handle portion asthe vacuum tunnel opening.